Disclaimer: Sadly, I'm just a sixteen-year-old girl. So nope, I'm not JK Rowling and I do not own the Harry Potter series.
A/N: And I'm back! Woot, the twelfth chapter of Only a Pretense is here! I thank you to all those who've reviewed the previous chapter, which is quite a lot, actually. I mean, wow, twenty-five reviews! Well, actually, there are twenty-six, but one reader reviewed twice so that doesn't count (You know who you are!)
Anyway, I'm not going to make this long. Just read and review after. Enjoy!
Chapter Twelve: Danger Magnet
Hermione scowled, her eyes staring daggers at Harry Potter. "I honestly thought you'd laugh after I tell you my story," she pointed out.
Surprisingly, the Gryffindor's face stayed stoic all throughout Hermione's story. Her cheeks grew redder and redder while Harry grew more and more serious. The brunette assumed that he was probably being a good best friend to her. But seeing him so serious after a hilarious story was… weird.
"So can I laugh?" he asked, face still a perfect picture of indifference.
All the brunette did was to stare at him and soon, his cool and calm mask broke into pieces. The only thing that was heard around the Room of Requirement was Harry Potter's hearty laughter.
"Oh… oh s-shite, Hermione," he cried in between gasps of laughter. "Me-merlin that was the funniest story I had ever heard ever since the school-year began!" He paused, allowing himself to laugh harder than before. Hermione just watched him, a mixture of annoyance and pure amusement on her face, as Harry fell off the couch. This sudden action of his triggered more laughter from his mouth.
"Ah… gah… can't breathe," he commented soon, his laughter finally ceasing. He lifted himself off the ground and back on the couch.
Hermione sighed. "Are you done?" she asked, voicing out her annoyance.
"Aww… come on, 'Mione," Harry said, swinging an arm over her shoulder. "I can truly imagine you standing in a room full of naked teenaged boys." He paused, his face contorting once again into mirth. Hermione merely sighed and watched him, not even bothering to reprimand him. She knew that her story was humorous. She couldn't deny that if that had happened to another female, she would undoubtedly laugh, too.
"And besides," the Gryffindor continued, "allow me to find humor in things even in this hardest period of our lives."
The brunette frowned, this time looking at Harry pointedly. There were times when The-Boy-Who-Lived would suddenly say things about his impending face-off with Voldemort, subtle or not. And for her, she couldn't help but hate him for that. There were times when Hermione actually thought that everything was well… that there were no Death Eaters and Voldemort lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right time to attack them at their lowest. But then, it would be ruined once Harry reminded her that they were not normal… that they had to brace themselves for the looming Second War.
Harry seemed to notice Hermione's sudden change of demeanor and he sighed, his arm over her shoulders tightening. "The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin will be next week already, right?" he asked, changing the topic.
Hermione's frown gradually disappeared. "Yeah," she said after moments of silence. She was silently thankful for the sudden shift in their conversation. "Malfoy's been extra stricter with our team. He tends to become annoying, but I'll live."
The Gryffindor chuckled. "Yeah, well, I am willing to bet my precious Firebolt that my teammates want to already wring my neck in irritation," he said, running a hand through his hair, making it more unruly. "I can't help but boss them around, Hermione. I mean, this is a match between the Slytherins. I can't wait to beat their sorry arses and witness with glee as Malfoy becomes so humiliated in front of the whole school."
"Umm… Harry?" Hermione said, her teeth gritting. For some strange reason, she became annoyed after Harry's little comment. "You're actually talking about my current House here."
Harry laughed upon seeing the glare on her face. "Hermione, Hermione, Hermione," he said, shaking his head. "You're part of the Slytherin Quidditch team – my rival. Here in the Room of Requirement, you're my best friend disguising as a bloody guy. But in the Quidditch Pitch, you're one of the enemies. Remember that."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's so typical of you," she muttered back. Harry only grinned back. "I actually expected you to say that."
The brunette sighed and pulled away from Harry, a serious look on her face. "But seriously, no funny businesses, tomorrow, Harry Potter," she reminded. "Don't deny it but I know how you and Ron tend to get a little… violent every Quidditch matches. Especially if you're competing with the Slytherins."
"Well, they should bloody thank Merlin my best friend's in their team," Harry said, a boyish grin on his face. "If you are not part of their team, Hermione, I swear I will have to beat them without mercy."
"Oh, seriously…"
"But, just because you're part of the team doesn't mean I will be less competitive," he corrected. "I'll just be extra careful, okay? I'll keep in mind to remind my team to be extra careful without revealing your secret."
Hermione shook her head and sighed, a small smile on her face. "Boys are really so… predictable when it comes to Quidditch," she said. "I haven't met any bloke who doesn't go gaga over the word 'Quidditch'."
"Well, Quidditch is a wizard's best friend," he stated. "That's a fact every man in the Wizarding World should know."
"Yeah, yeah," she said, feigning boredom. "I have heard that countless times before." She released a yelp of laughter when Harry poked her ticklish sides. "Fine, fine, I believe you," she added, laughing loudly. Her eyes landed on her watch and she released a soft groan. "I'm sorry, Harry. Malfoy said we'll have practice today."
She was now standing up. "Well, I'll see you some time, Harry," she said.
"May the best team win!" was his farewell before Hermione fully walked out of the Room of Requirement.
"Are you nervous?" Teddy asked Hermione for the umpteenth time.
The brunette, unable to help herself, scowled and glared at the fretting carefree Slytherin beside her.
Today was the big game between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The moment the disguised Slytherin woke up that morning, dread permanently settled in her heart. She could barely touch her breakfast. She was thankful that even Malfoy seemed bothered by the upcoming game.
Hermione had taken a few gulps of a mild Calming Draught and was disappointed to discover that it did nothing to calm her frayed nerves. She knew that if she really drank a normal Calming Draught, her team might get disqualified from the Quidditch game and the Gryffindors would have won. And she did not like that.
Teddy's constant fretting did not help to put her nerves at bay, too. He kept on worrying his bottom lip, his eyes wide and cheeks pale. He kept on asking the brunette again and again if she was nervous and such, only fueling her nervousness more.
Blaise, on the other hand, seemed calm and collected. Hermione envied him for that, now directing her glaring eyes towards the other Slytherin Chaser. The Italian caught her eyes and raised an amused eyebrow upon seeing the hostile look on her face.
"How can you look so… so fucking calm there, Blaise, huh?" Teddy demanded, mimicking Hermione's glare.
The Slytherin rolled his eyes and released a soft chuckle. "Seriously," was his mere answer before absentmindedly placing a hand over their captain's blond hair and mussed it up a bit. "We'll be fine, Draco," he said upon seeing the questioning look from his best friend. "We'll be fine."
Hermione, moved with Blaise's comforting words, mentally berated herself for her extreme anxiety. Blaise was right - they would be fine. They had been practicing for hours and hours on the Quidditch Pitch. Hermione even had to give up her precious time for doing advanced homework just so she could improve her Quidditch abilities.
Her teammates did well, too. Heck, even Malfoy was a fabulous Quidditch Captain, albeit a nasty, aggressive one.
And as part of the team for a few days already, Hermione would undeniably say that the Slytherin Quidditch team has unity.
It was so obvious from Malfoy's constant reminders to the team under him and the constant reassurances of the members to the others… it was evident.
They were united.
'Unity's important to win, right?' she asked herself, growing more and more confident as more minutes passed by. 'Yes, that's right. And we are united!'
A small smile crept on her face, thankful that determination and the mild Calming Draught were starting to kick in.
Judging from the sudden ruckus the audience had made, the Quidditch game had officially started. Hermione distinctively heard Luna Lovegood announcing the members of the Quidditch team from the Gryffindor House.
When Harry's name was announced, a mixture of amusement and pride swelled in Hermione's heart. Amusement, because she heard Teddy mutter a soft 'fuck you' under his breath when Harry zoomed into the Quidditch Pitch. And pride, because, well, he was still her best friend.
"And now, for the Slytherin Quidditch team!" Luna hollered. The students on the Slytherin stands burst into loud applause and cheering as the blonde Ravenclaw started to announce the members of the Quidditch team.
The brunette braced herself, ready to mount her broomstick. Teddy and Blaise were already called on the field and one-by-one, the others were called, too.
"Do your best, Austen," Draco told her just a minute before she was called. Hermione looked at him, surprised, and merely nodded before shooting up into the sky once Luna had announced her name.
Finally, all of the players were on the field. Madam Hooch, the Quidditch referee, whistled. Harry and Draco hovered just beside her, waiting for her official announcement for the start of the game.
"Captains, shake your hands, please," Madam Hooch said.
Hermione noticed how reluctant the two were to do a handshake. An amused look was seen on her face when she saw how the two tried to crush each others' hands.
Madam Hooch whistled once again, signaling the start of the game, and everybody returned to their respective positions in the air.
"And thus, let the games begin!"
300-310, in favor of Slytherin.
That was the score an hour after the official game and Hermione was starting to get exhausted, although a little hyped.
A small smile flittered on her face, absolutely proud of herself for being the reason why Slytherin was leading.
It was just when Blaise threw the ball towards her. Her nervousness heightened upon catching the Quaffle. She was able to shoot at least seven Quaffles out of the thirty and she knew she was not doing badly at all.
Hermione had dodged a few Bludgers hurtled by the Gryffindor Beaters, determined to score another point for Slytherin. But then, the defense of the opponent team was so high. She saw Harry's conflicting gaze – would he help her or not?
But then again, she was part of the opposing team; therefore, she was one of the enemies.
The brunette had almost lost her grip with the Quaffle but thankfully, a hurtling Bludger from Ivan Raft had helped her retrieve the Quaffle once again.
She was now nearing the goal posts, with Ron Weasley as the Keeper. Hermione had faltered a bit, knowing that he was such a talented Keeper. Years and years of watching Ron play Quidditch was enough proof.
But one snarky comment from her best friend had sparked a flame inside her chest and out of rage, she threw the Quaffle towards the goal post as hard as she could. Ron was caught off guard, still in the middle of another snarky remark.
Hermione smirked triumphantly upon seeing his annoyed scowl and dark glare once she was able to score.
And thus, Slytherin was leading by ten points.
The Seekers for both teams were still looking for the Golden Snitch but was still not able to.
The Slytherin students roared once again when Blaise successfully shot another goal. Hermione gently smiled. Maybe she was the reason why Ron had suddenly lost his concentration.
"Austen!"
Hermione whipped around, only to come face-to-face with her Quidditch Captain. She looked at him in caution. She actually waited for him to blow up or something.
To her surprise, Draco Malfoy did the contrary.
"Not bad," he praised. "Not entirely bad for a nuisance like you."
And to increase her surprise ten-fold, Draco Malfoy smiled.
It was minute… even barely there on his handsome face. But Hermione swore it was a smile.
Hermione Granger never believed in such romantic craps and clichés in romance novels. She never believed damsels in distress being saved by their bloody Prince Charmings. For Merlin's sake, this was reality. She scorned love at first sight; scoffed at swooning princesses and sweet nothings.
And especially abhorred stories wherein people claimed their heart stopped beating for a moment after seeing their true love.
But once Draco Malfoy flashed a teeny-weeny smile… once he allowed her to see his rare smile, Hermione Granger firmly believed that her heart had truly stopped beating.
The blond seemed to realize what he just did because then, his small smile morphed into a large scowl. "Focus back on the game, nuisance!" he spat, before zooming away from the dazed brunette in disguise.
"You all right, Hermes?" Blaise suddenly said, his broom hovering a few feet away from Hermione. That had snapped Hermione out of her stupor and she shook her head, ridding off rubbishesinside her mind.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," she announced, tightening her grip with her broom. "Don't mind me. Just go back and focus, Blaise."
And so, the game resumed, with Hermione determined as ever. Blaise had scored a couple more points for the Slytherin, increasing their lead. But the Gryffindor Chasers, especially Ginny Weasley, were getting back into the game, also scoring a couple more points for their team.
Then soon, Hermione found herself clutching the Quaffle once again. Her eyes were focused on Ron's form, her eyebrows knitted firmly to show her extreme concentration. Malfoy and Harry still hadn't found the Golden Snitch, and so, she knew that Chasers needed to score as much points as possible.
'Malfoy,' her mind suddenly thought. An unwanted image of his smiling face flashed into her mind and to her horror, her heart skipped a beat once again. She halted mid-air and was slightly bumped by one of the Gryffindor Chasers, causing her to entirely loose grip off the Quaffle.
"And… Hermes Austen lost grip of the Quaffle!" Luna announced for everyone to know whilst Hermione clutched her seemingly dysfunctional heart, eyes wide as saucers. "But look! Blaise Zabini was able to catch it. Good catch, there Zabini! And now the Italian Slytherin is hurtling towards the goal posts. Weasley, brace yourself! And Zabini shoots… HE SCORES! ANOTHER TEN POINTS FOR SLYTHERIN!"
Once again, the Slytherin students cheered in delight, already chanting the name of their House.
"AUSTEN!"
Hermione flinched as she rounded around, her eyes landing on the cause of her distraction.
"What the hell are you doing?" was the Captain's furious bellow. "Focus on the game, Austen! Focus! Thank Merlin, Blaise was able to save it for you!"
The brunette reluctantly nodded. For some strange reason, her cheeks started to inflame. She mentally berated herself and once again focused on the game.
Soon, the Quaffle was once again safe in Hermione's hands. She zoomed past her opponent, passed it to the other Slytherin Chaser, and then he passed it back to her.
"In a sudden desperate attempt, Jimmy Peakes hit an incoming Bludger towards one of his Slytherin opponents," Luna updated, eyes intently glued on the Quidditch Pitch.
'A Bludger,' Hermione thought distractedly, still zooming away from the other Gryffindors. 'I must be careful.'
"HERMES, LOOK OUT!"
The brunette whipped around, surprised by Blaise's sudden outburst. But just then, a Bludger came hurtling towards Hermione and she did not have any time to dodge it. It had hit her squarely on the chest and was completely knocked off from her broom, releasing the Quaffle in the process.
"Hermes!" was Teddy's distinctive call as Hermione fell and fell and fell…
'This is it,' she wryly thought. 'Maybe I'll be using my fake grave after all.'
Her eyes were gradually closing, unconsciousness fighting to take over her senses. But just then, she somehow felt arms wrapping around her… possessively, if she were to describe it.
"Hold on tight," she heard him say and she did, releasing a soft sound to tell him she understood.
She heard him utter a spell under his breath… a spell she couldn't decipher at all.
And soon, she finally succumbed to darkness.
"Hmm…" she groaned, slowly opening her eyes. Hermione blinked three times, frowning as she noticed the brightly lit ceiling. 'My room's darker,' she thought, clutching her head to cease its throbbing. 'I don't feel so good,' she moaned inside her head and tried to sit up, but only failed in the end.
"Austen, you awake?"
"Hmm…" the brunette once again, directing her blurred eyes towards the source of the sudden voice.
"Don't 'hmm' me, mister," was the snarled reply. "Are you awake?"
Hermione scowled, her headache worsening. "No, I'm not. So leave me alone," she spat back.
"That's not how you talk to your savior, you bloody nuisance," he replied back. Judging from the voice and his fond pet name for her, Hermione instantly recognized Draco Malfoy. She shook her head to try to clear her bleary eyes and soon, her eyes were focused on her Slytherin roommate.
She immediately noticed the bandage wrapped around his immaculate blond hair. She pointedly noticed that he was shirtless, with bandages also wrapped around his torso. And of course, Malfoy's usual expression wouldn't be complete if he did not have a scowl on his face.
Hermione looked away from him, racking her brain to remember why he, of all people, was accompanying her in the Hospital Wing. She knew that she had a Quidditch accident, knocked off from her broom by a hurtling Bludger from Jimmy Peakes. She also remembered warm arms wrapping around her body… "Hold on tight"…
Her eyes widened, realization dawning. She slowly looked back at her 'savior', as what Malfoy called himself, and stared. He, on the other hand, seemed to notice her sudden remembrance and flashed his infamous Malfoy smirk. "Remember now?" he asked.
"But… but… how… you…" she sputtered, unable to form coherent words. Draco's eyebrows rose in amusement and she shook her head to clear her meddled mind. "I… umm… what happened with the game?"
His smirk disappeared, a small grimace now on his face. "Obviously," he said, "we lost. Austen, the Seeker got injured. Slytherin got disqualified, hence, Gryffindor won by default. It's in the rules."
She frowned, eyes firmly glued on her thin infirmary blanket. Guilt bubbled at the pit of her stomach. 'If I just focused more,' she forlornly thought, taking a quick peak at the captain of the team. But then again, Malfoy was the reason why she got distracted. If only he did not stupidly flash his genuine smile, then Hermione wouldn't be distracted.
Her cheeks furiously inflamed, remembering the rare smile she witnessed on Draco Malfoy's face.
She absentmindedly rubbed them to cool them down, her eyes once again shyly on the blond beside her bed. "I'm…"
"Sorry?" he butted in, cutting her off her sentence. "You're about to say you're sorry, right?"
"And…"
"Thank you," he finished off for her, an annoyed scowl on his handsome face. "Austen, that's so typical of you. You've said the exact same things when I saved you from those hags." He fell silent for a moment, his emotions conflicting.
"I don't even know why I saved you!" he suddenly hollered. Hermione involuntarily flinched. "I mean… that was an idiotic thing for me to do. I could have died, for Merlin's sake. But no, I stupidly jumped off my broom to cushion your fall and I…"
He bristled, seemingly at lost for words. Hermione watched him for a moment, mild amusement on her face. "You… you… it's your fault!" he blamed, an accusatory finger pointed at her direction.
Hermione looked affronted. "My fault? I was…"
"No, no, I'm wrong," he confessed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "It's my fault. From the first moment I've seen you, I knew I should loathe you. You're a… an accident prone! A bloody danger magnet. You're a pain-in-the-arse and a nuisance. I should have avoided you, though it was quite hard seeing that both Blaise and even Theo took a liking to you. So, what was I thinking when I made you Chaser for my team? It was an idiotic thing for me to do."
The brunette was openly scowling now. "A… a danger magnet?" she spat back, crossing her arms. "Well, breaking news, mister, you seemed to be magnetized by my being a danger magnet. I think you should realize that now."
And realized it he did because he grew quiet, a contemplating look on his face. "You're right," he sighed, breaking his silence. "You're absolutely right. That's why I…" He faltered, a troubled look on his face. "Bah, this is getting annoying, Austen. Would you believe that I'm not getting angry anymore? I'm just… annoyed, not entirely furious. Oh Merlin, I actually knew that something bad would happen during the game because you were there!"
"Is that supposed to comfort me?" she thundered back.
To her utmost surprise, Draco Malfoy released a brief chuckle. And he was wearing that stupid smile that started it all. Hermione cursed herself for staring… faltering as she watched in interest at the miniscule smile on his face. A voice at the back of her head told her that she saw Draco Malfoy smile twice within the span of approximately five hours and it was all because of her. An unwanted blush splashed both of her cheeks and she looked away.
"You…" he started, his smile diminishing replaced by a serious look on his face. "You… I've never met anyone like you before, Hermes Austen. I actually think you're an interesting… being."
Hermione frowned, about to retort something back, when suddenly the infirmary door burst open. Both the brunette and Draco looked at the door in surprise, only to see an extremely worried Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini bustling in.
To the disguised Slytherin's surprise, both of her roommates crowded around her bed, voicing out their worry through their frantic question.
"Are you all right, Hermes? I mean, seriously? You've… you've bloody fallen from the sky! And, oh Merlin, I seriously thought you've injured yourself badly. I actually thought that you might have… might have… might have… died!" That came from Teddy's mouth.
Blaise, on the other hand, was extra calmer, although his eyes showed his great worry for the brunette. "Are you all right?" he questioned, bending down to level with her eyes. "Merlin, you made us so worried! Don't do that ever again." And to make his worry more known, he placed a comforting hand on her head and gently ruffled her short hair, his cool mask breaking and his face contorting into genuine worry.
Hermione looked at both Slytherins, a smile on her face. "You, guys…" she started, looking at both with secret fondness. "I'm perfectly fine. Look." She gestured at her whole body. "I mean, I broke a few bones here and there. Got some minor scratches… But I'm perfectly fine and healthy."
Teddy flashed an enormous grin whilst Blaise released a great sigh of relief.
"Hello, I was injured, too," was Draco Malfoy's announcement, making his presence known to his best friends.
The carefree Slytherin gave him a mocking glare. Blaise, on the other hand, rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, we know," Teddy said dismissively. "But you've been injured countless times, I'm sure you're so sick of our presence. And besides, you just made us realize that you are a total idiot, Draco Malfoy. You had the nerve to jump off the sky to save someone's life. You think that's heroic, huh? What are you? A bloody Gryffindor?"
Draco scowled at Teddy, who returned it by immaturely sticking out his tongue. Blaise softly chuckled and strode towards Draco's bed.
To Hermione's surprise, he poked his bandaged head none-too-gently and Draco released a soft yelp of pain.
"Ow, what the hell?" he demanded, glaring at the Italian.
Blaise then poked his injury on his torso and once again, he voiced out his pain.
"Ow… OW! Stop it!" he cried, slapping away Blaise's hand.
"That's for making us worry, you idiot," he answered back whilst Teddy strode towards Draco's bed and playfully smacked his head.
Hermione watched on her bed as the two made fun of the scowling blond and unconsciously smiled. Although they were outwardly fooling around, it was glaringly obvious that they were worried sick for Draco, too.
The brunette then realized that maybe their bond of friendship was strong, after all. Heck, she even thought that maybe their bond of friendship was as strong as her friendship with both Harry and Ron.
"Excuse me, no visitor's allowed!" Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office, her hands placed firmly against her waist.
Teddy and Blaise sheepishly looked at her, slowly standing up from Draco's bed.
"Out! OUT!" the nurse cried, shooing the two with her hands. "The patients need to rest. And goodness, did I just see you jab Mister Malfoy's wounds, Mister Zabini?"
Blaise was a perfect picture of calmness. "Of course not, Madam Pomfrey," he calmly stated. "Why would I do that to an injured patient?"
Teddy laughed, immediately covering it into a cough upon seeing Blaise's icy glare. Hermione hid her smile behind her hand and almost laughed aloud upon hearing Draco softly curse the Italian.
Madam Pomfrey then sighed. "All right, then please go back to your dormitories. Like what I've said, the patients need rest. Now, off you go!"
Teddy bid them a cheerful goodbye just before the two bustled out of the infirmary. Soon, the three were the only people left in the room.
Madam Pomfrey first went to Hermione's bed, seeing that she was the less injured of the two. She checked her broken ribs and such. It would have been handy for her to make Hermione shirtless, but then again, she knew about her secret and it would be too dangerous if she did so.
She then went towards Draco's bed, shaking her head at the red splotches on his head. "Your wound opened up once again, Mister Malfoy," she told him.
"Hmm… I wonder why," was his reply, subtle sarcasm oozing out of his voice. Unable to help it, Hermione released a soft chuckle.
The Hogwarts nurse looked at her in surprise. "Is there something wrong, Mister Austen?" she inquired.
Hermione immediately shook her head. "There's nothing wrong, Madam Pomfrey," she assured the medi-witch. "None at all."
"Hmm…" she thoughtfully replied, looking back at Draco to check his other wounds. Once she was done, she gave Draco a goblet filled with a cool, sticky substance. "A Sleeping Draught," she said, "it'll be good for you if you fall asleep already, Mister Malfoy."
The blond obeyed and drank the potion, making a sour face in the process. Soon, the contents were finished and Draco was dozing on his bed.
Madam Pomfrey then looked at Hermione, a stern look on her face. "I think it's best if you sleep, too, Miss Granger," she softly told, in case someone was there to hear.
Hermione nodded and closed her eyes.
And that night, she dreamt of smiles, arms, and the words 'Hold on tight'.
Review Responses:
dmlainey: You're really sure Blaise likes Hermione? As in, really, really sure? Haha, I'm messing around with you but I won't tell the answer. As for the identity of the person who puts the tulips on top of Hermione's grave, I won't be telling either. You're right, he or she will be revealed soon, don't worry. Anyway, thanks for your lovely review!
Nicconicco: You really think Blaise's date was with Hermione? You do realize I won't answer that question, right? Right? Haha, don't worry, you'll know the answer after a few more chapters (well, I guess). Haha, I adored the locker room scene, too! It was one of the funniest I'd written for this story. As for your request, I'm really sorry but I can only really update once a week. I'm a busy bee and well, Thursday's the only perfect day for updating since I go home from school earlier than usual. I devote Saturdays for finishing schoolwork and doing advance readings. During Sundays, I rest and spend time with my family so you see, I really can't. Well, maybe once summer comes, I can update twice a week (or even thrice, if I'm inspired). Anyway, thanks for your lovely review!
Tiny Cherie: Eh, many people are already assuming that Blaise has a crush on Hermione. Does he really? Haha, thanks for your review! Please review the next time.
Tenma94: *Sigh* It seems like Blaise's always saving Hermione, yeah? Hmmm, I wonder why. Thanks for your great review!
BittyBlueEyes: Glad to know that you get all excited every time I update! And yeah, the shower room scene was really hilarious. I thought so, too, after writing the whole story. Poor guy? Why's Blaise a poor guy? You really think he likes Hermione? As in, really really think? Gah, you'll know the answer soon, I swear. Anyway, thanks for your review!
Isabella120: Thanks for your equally lovely review! I do update every Thursday and I hope that's what you meant as "soon". Please review the future chapters, too!
ilfreitas: Ha, you're like the nth person who told me that the locker room scene was hilarious! Well, I thought so, too, by the way. Will Blaise really tell Hermione he knows her secret? You do realize I'm not going to answer that question, right? You'll find out in the future, anyway. Anyway, thanks for your review!
flamingbunnies: Haha, the locker room scene is wickedly awesome, I guess. Thank Merlin Blaise came to Hermione's rescue just at the nick of time. She could have really fainted, yeah? Anyway, thanks for your review!
sarah lectrice de hgdm: Haha, many people thought that this chapter was funny, too. Well, I made Blaise's character in such a way that he'll be seen as a sweet, sweet guy; thus, helping Hermione. I mean, even if he knows who she truly was, he still helped her, which is undoubtedly very sweet. By the way, wow, that's cool, you're French! Aww, thanks for your lovely review!
Megii of Mysteri OusStranger: OH MY… WOW? We both picked the same name, as in Hermes Austen on Hermes only? Either way, that's still so cool! Eh, I've always liked stories when the girl disguises as a boy and all. I still have no idea why, though. Anyway, thanks for your review!
CheshireCat23: Haha, now that I've read your review, I actually thought so, too. Eh, but what do you expect from Teddy Nott? Aww, so far, Blaise is the hero and all but need I remind you that it's a Dramione? Soon, it will be Draco's turn! Thanks for your lovely review!
S.: Aww, thank you for thinking that my story is realistic. I try very, very hard, you know. Don't worry, it's a Dramione. And the genre's romance so yeah, there'll soon be more Dramione moments (GYAH! Just thinking about all of them makes me so excited, too). Thanks for your review!
Girl-x-91: Thank you for adoring chapter 11. Haha, I seriously adored it, too! Aww, thank you for your awesome compliment. Do you really think it's well-written *blush*. Now, you're making me blush! Don't worry, I will never, ever abandon this story. Like what I've said countless times before, the whole stories done and I'm just fixing and adding and deleting a few more things. In short, I'm still not done editing. Everything's raw and disgustingly full of errors (especially grammatical errors). You get me, right? Anyway, thanks for your lovely review!
Anigen: I love you, too! Well, you're awesome reviews, I mean. Haha! Well, as for your question if Blaise is going to tell Hermione about how he knows her secret and if Hermione was really his date, then you have to patiently wait for the future answers, okay? I confess that I also like Hermione and Blaise to have moments together but I can't really see them as a couple. Maybe I just got used into thinking that Hermione and Draco belong to each other (which is so damn true!) that it makes me feel all weird inside if I pair Hermione with other people other than Draco and vice versa. Anyway, thanks for your review!
Karate Chic: There'll be more soon, I swear! I mean, good god, I have more chapters in store for all of you! Just patiently wait and before you know it, I'll be able to finish the whole story! Thanks for your lovely review. :D
Kathy T: Total bromance chapter, you say. I'm telling you, there'll be more bromance so brace yourself! You really think the date Blaise said was intended to really be with Hermione? Too fishy, eh. You just have to wait for the future chapters to know the answers! And gah, I totally understand you. If I were to be locked inside a room full of half-naked and *ahem* naked boys, I'd instantly die right there and then. Haha, anyway, thanks for your review!
haileydelacour101: Thank you very much. I try to make this story humorous, especially after writing that bloody depressing "11 Things". But then again, there'll still be some drama here in this story. Anyway, thanks for the review!
tiredofschoolxxxx: Well, breaking news, darling, this story is loosely based on "You're Beautiful". I think I remember claiming that in one of my author's notes and emphasizing that it's loosely based on that lovely Korean Drama. Yeah, I did characterized Taekyung in Draco but let me repeat it again, this fic is loosely based on that drama. There might be similar characters and scenes at the first part of the story but as the story progresses, the differences will be so glaringly obvious compared to the light-hearted "You're Beautiful". Anyway, lovely review! Thank you very much. :D
sparkle15: *sigh* Hermione's really one lucky girl. Blaise knows her secret but then, he never revealed it to anyway. In fact, he tried to help her in everything that she do! Aww, sweet, sweet Blaise BUT remember that this is a Dramione fic! There'll be more ridiculously adorable and insane scenes between the two protagonists so you just wait, okay? Thanks for your review!
konchibi: Aww, so I made you smile. That's great! I also think that this chapter is adorable. Thank you for your great review!
bbyebiebercozoftattoo: Blaise says thank you, too! Oh, and THANK YOU for giving my fic a chance and even reviewing! Please do review in the future chapters. :D
darkcrystalwings: Your suggestions pretty cool. I mean, I also have thought of giving Hermione some girl stalkers and avid fangirls but the fic would be so long. Maybe you guys will lose some interest if I were to lengthen this fic more. So, I'm sorry for that. Oh, as for your desire, you'll know in the future chapters what Draco thinks of Hermes/Hermione. I solemnly assure you. Anyway, thank you for your lovely review!
Cinna16: Thank you for the compliment. I sure will keep up the good work as the story progresses. Aww, and I like Blaise, too! Thank you for your review! Please review my future chapters, okay? :D
Infatuation-x: Haha, I very much agree with you! I, too, do not really like stories wherein Draco and Hermione would suddenly jump into lovers. I mean, come on! Where's the fun in that? I wanted to feel the sexual tension and all. XD Anyway, thank you for your lovely review – ahem – reviews since you sent me, too. :p
A/N: Well, that's the end of the chapter. I hope those who reviewed on the previous chapter are satisfied with my responses :D
Anyway, I have this random question which is not related to OaP. So, here it is – how was your prom? I mean, to those who have already experienced it. Can you tell me? Good lord, next month will be my turn to you know, doll up and dance with my prom date and I confess that I'm kind of nervous. Scratch that, I am EXTREMELY nervous. Truth be told, I still do not have a dress to wear on that day. Luckily, I already have a prom date (who's quite good-looking, mind you, lol!) So please tell me in your reviews. After this event, I think I might share some snippets of what had happened during our promenade.
Back to the story, what did you think? In my opinion, Draco was ridiculously adorable in this chapter, especially when his best friends came in and made fun of his, erm, heroic deed. Do tell in your reviews!
That's it for now. I'll see you next week.
With love,
2booklover4